what happened in dallas? >> leading economists and political scholars discussed the economy and the so-called fiscal cliff at an event hosted by economists for peace and security and the new american foundation's program. this is about 90 minutes. >> good morning. i am the chair of economists for peace and security. i'd like to welcome you to this symposium. entitled "who's afraid of the fiscal cliff?" the eps is an organization of professional economists concerned with questions of military security, national security, economic security, social security, with the broad question that we have been grappling with intensely for the last four or five years. we are not an advocacy for lobbying groups. we gather together professionals working on this question to represent only themselves -- who represent only themselves and have the advantage of being able to speak to you with clarity and conviction. eps is also a membership organization. our web site is www.epsusa.org. i would invite all of you here and all who ma